NewsABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)November 3, 2026San Francisco County
Federal judge allows class-action false advertising lawsuit against McDonald's over McRib ingredients to proceed
Photo: ABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)
A federal judge rejected McDonald's motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit alleging the fast-food chain deceptively marketed the McRib as a premium pork rib sandwich when it allegedly contains no actual pork rib meat. The lawsuit claims consumers were misled into paying more for the sandwich, while McDonald's has called the claims meritless and maintained it is transparent about its ingredients. The company has until November 20 to submit a formal response to the complaint.
Read the full story at ABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)Why It Matters
The ruling permits a consumer fraud lawsuit seeking damages for purchasers of McRib sandwiches to advance in federal court, setting up a legal battle over fast-food marketing transparency and ingredient disclosures.
Key Facts
- A federal judge in Illinois rejected McDonald's motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit concerning its McRib sandwiches.
- The lawsuit was initially filed in December 2025.
- Plaintiffs allege McDonald's engaged in false representations, omissions, and concealments by marketing the McRib as a 'premium' pork rib sandwich.
- The complaint asserts that the sandwiches contain no actual pork rib meat and are instead made from lower-grade pork products.
- McDonald's website describes the sandwich as made with a 'McRib Pork Patty' without explicitly stating whether it is pork rib.
- McDonald's has called the lawsuit 'meritless' and stated it distorts the facts.
- McDonald's stated to ABC News that it has always been transparent about its ingredients.
- McDonald's has until November 20 to submit a response to the complaint.
Who's Mentioned
locationIllinois“Location of the federal judge handling the case.”OrganizationReuters“News outlet that received a statement from McDonald's.”OrganizationABC News“News outlet that received a statement from McDonald's.”OrganizationMcDonald's“Defendant in the class action lawsuit regarding McRib sandwiches.”